Is it waajib to call yourself Salafee or Atharee and if one does not call himself Salafee or Atharee is it waajib upon us to refute him or warn against him?
Question:
"My question is regarding the 14th and the 16th aayaat of surah al-Hujuraat regarding naming oneself Salafee or Atharee. The questioner quotes Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan حفظه الله where he says: naming oneself "as-Salafee" or "al-Atharee" has no basis and there is no need for it. What is important is to seek the proofs and work accordingly; as for naming oneself "as-Salafee" or "al-Atharee" this is from tazkiyatu-nafs (praising oneself).[1] He uses the verse (ayah 14) which was just explained as a proof. In this verse Allaah admonished the Bedouins about claiming eemaan, but affirmed Islaam for them. So, is it permissible for me to name myself "Salafee" or to say "so and so as-Salafee" or "so and so al-Atharee"? Additionally, for someone who is new to Islaam or newly practicing is this proper or is it considered self-praising? Is it waajib to call yourself Salafee or Atharee and if one does not call himself Salafee or Atharee is it waajib upon us to refute him or warn against him? Please give us the correct position on this issue."
Answer:
"Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says:
{By Al-'Asr (the time). Verily, man is in loss. Except those who believe (in Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth [i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al-Ma'rûf) which Allâh has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al-Munkar) which Allâh has forbidden], and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allâh's Cause during preaching His religion of Islâmic Monotheism or Jihâd} {al-`Asr 103:1-3]
These aayaat consists of several things: eemaan, action, recommending one another to the truth and recommending one another to having sabr (patience). It is desired that an individual learns what Allaah has made obligatory upon him and works by what Allaah has obligated upon him. Because, if he does not learn, he will be asked about it on Yawmul Qiyaamah, and if he learns and does not act upon his knowledge then he will be asked about it on Yawmul Qiyaamah. However, it will not be asked "Are you Atharee?", nor Salafee, nor Ikwaanee. All of these are characteristics that have occurred in this era and from its evil effects is disunity of the people. It is known that the truth is one and that the Deen is one. So there is not necessary that these characteristics exist; as Allaah سبحانه و تعالى said:
{The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islâmic religion)} [al-Hujuraat 49:10]
In accordance with this there is no need for these characteristics (labels) but it is upon the people to learn what Allaah has obligated upon them, act with it, teach it and call the people to it."
[1] Saturday 21 Shawal 1424; in explanation of al-Fatawa al-Hamwiyah. The words of the Shaykh are quoted from 0:23.
Shaykh 'Abdullah al-Ghudayyaan, may Allah have mercy upon him
Translated by Albaseerah.org.
Source: Lecture Tafseer Surah Al-Hujuraat, Class #6, 5th of May, 2007. [Click here for a screenshot in PDF format]
Use the player below or download the MP3 here.
"My question is regarding the 14th and the 16th aayaat of surah al-Hujuraat regarding naming oneself Salafee or Atharee. The questioner quotes Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan حفظه الله where he says: naming oneself "as-Salafee" or "al-Atharee" has no basis and there is no need for it. What is important is to seek the proofs and work accordingly; as for naming oneself "as-Salafee" or "al-Atharee" this is from tazkiyatu-nafs (praising oneself).[1] He uses the verse (ayah 14) which was just explained as a proof. In this verse Allaah admonished the Bedouins about claiming eemaan, but affirmed Islaam for them. So, is it permissible for me to name myself "Salafee" or to say "so and so as-Salafee" or "so and so al-Atharee"? Additionally, for someone who is new to Islaam or newly practicing is this proper or is it considered self-praising? Is it waajib to call yourself Salafee or Atharee and if one does not call himself Salafee or Atharee is it waajib upon us to refute him or warn against him? Please give us the correct position on this issue."
Answer:
"Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says:
{By Al-'Asr (the time). Verily, man is in loss. Except those who believe (in Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth [i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al-Ma'rûf) which Allâh has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al-Munkar) which Allâh has forbidden], and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allâh's Cause during preaching His religion of Islâmic Monotheism or Jihâd} {al-`Asr 103:1-3]
These aayaat consists of several things: eemaan, action, recommending one another to the truth and recommending one another to having sabr (patience). It is desired that an individual learns what Allaah has made obligatory upon him and works by what Allaah has obligated upon him. Because, if he does not learn, he will be asked about it on Yawmul Qiyaamah, and if he learns and does not act upon his knowledge then he will be asked about it on Yawmul Qiyaamah. However, it will not be asked "Are you Atharee?", nor Salafee, nor Ikwaanee. All of these are characteristics that have occurred in this era and from its evil effects is disunity of the people. It is known that the truth is one and that the Deen is one. So there is not necessary that these characteristics exist; as Allaah سبحانه و تعالى said:
{The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islâmic religion)} [al-Hujuraat 49:10]
In accordance with this there is no need for these characteristics (labels) but it is upon the people to learn what Allaah has obligated upon them, act with it, teach it and call the people to it."
[1] Saturday 21 Shawal 1424; in explanation of al-Fatawa al-Hamwiyah. The words of the Shaykh are quoted from 0:23.
Shaykh 'Abdullah al-Ghudayyaan, may Allah have mercy upon him
Translated by Albaseerah.org.
Source: Lecture Tafseer Surah Al-Hujuraat, Class #6, 5th of May, 2007. [Click here for a screenshot in PDF format]
Use the player below or download the MP3 here.
